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Discusses surgical treatment to control irregular heartbeat and restore normal rhythm of heart. Also discusses how it is usually done during open-heart surgery. Looks at what to expect after surgery such as taking medicine such as Coumadin. Covers risks.

Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation

Surgery Overview

The maze procedure is a surgical treatment for
atrial fibrillation. It can also be called a surgical ablation.

The surgeon can use small
incisions, radio waves, freezing, or microwave or ultrasound energy to create
scar tissue. The scar tissue, which does not conduct electrical activity,
blocks the abnormal electrical signals causing the arrhythmia. The scar tissue
directs electric signals through a controlled path, or maze, to the lower heart
chambers (ventricles).

The maze procedure might be done during
open-heart surgery. It is commonly done for people with atrial fibrillation if they are having an open heart surgery for another reason. A maze procedure may
also be done with less invasive techniques.

The maze procedure is frequently performed with
other necessary cardiac surgery, such as
coronary artery bypass and valve repair or
replacement.

What To Expect After Surgery

Recovery for a maze procedure depends on how your surgery was done. For example, recovery will likely be longer for an open-heart procedure than for a less invasive procedure.

You may have to stay in the hospital
for about 7 to 10 days. Most people spend the first 2 or 3 days after surgery
in an intensive care unit (ICU) where they can be closely watched. You will
be encouraged to walk within 1 to 2 days of your surgery.

Discomfort in the chest, ribs, and shoulders is common within the first
several days following surgery. Your doctor will order pain medicines to help
control this discomfort.

Medicines called diuretics are used to
control fluid buildup right after surgery. Your doctor may have you take
a diuretic at home for several weeks following surgery.

You may
need to take an
anticoagulant, such as warfarin (Coumadin, for
example), after the procedure. But this is usually determined on a case-by-case
basis.

Recovery is typically complete within 6 to 8 weeks
following surgery. Some people have discomfort at the chest incision for
several months after surgery.

You will be able to get back to
your normal activities within 3 months. You may feel more tired than
usual, but most people are back to normal within 6 months.

Why It Is Done

The maze procedure is a surgical
treatment for atrial fibrillation. It is used to control the irregular
heartbeat and restore the normal rhythm of the heart.

Your doctor
may recommend the maze procedure if at least one of the following descriptions
is true about you:1

Rhythm-control medicine has not worked to relieve your symptoms from atrial fibrillation.

You have symptoms of atrial fibrillation, and you are having another
heart surgery.

You are having another heart surgery, and adding the
maze procedure is not too risky.

You cannot have catheter
ablation, or you prefer to have surgery.

You have already had catheter ablation, but you still have
atrial fibrillation.

How Well It Works

The maze procedure has good long-term
results for treating atrial fibrillation. It can stop atrial fibrillation in about 7 to 9 people out of 10. But 1 to 3 people out of 10 still need to take medicines to control their heart rhythm.2

Risks

The risks of the maze procedure are similar to
the risks of any heart surgery that uses a heart-lung bypass machine.

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